Onalaska is a city located in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,839. The city borders three unincorporated rural towns including: Onalaska, Medary, and Hamilton.
The original village (now city) was platted by Thomas G. Rowe (NY) and John C. Laird (PA) in 1851. In its early days, lumbering and related industries served as a basis for its economy.
The City of Onalaska is primarily built on a slightly elevated ridge above the Black River. Natural areas include river bottomland as well as high, heavily wooded, scenic bluffs. It is known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World." A manmade reservoir at the city's western edge is known as Lake Onalaska.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.1 km2 (9.7 mi2). 23.5 km2 (9.1 mi2) of it is land and 1.5 km2 (0.6 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 5.99% water.
Named streams within the current corporate limits of the city include the Black River, the La Crosse River, and Sand Lake Coulee Creek. In the 1930s, construction of Lake Onalaska resulted in the flooding and eventual disappearance of a shallow, natural body of water, Rice Lake, as well as several smaller ponds in the Black River bottoms area.
Brice Prairie is an urban reserve area of the City of Onalaska. It lies to the northwest of Onalaska's current northern border.
Onalaska lies immediately north of the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
As of the census of 2000, there are 14,839 people, 5,893 households, and 4,036 families residing in the city. The population density is 630.3/km2 (1,631.6/mi2). There are 6,070 housing units at an average density of 257.8/km2 (667.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 95.17% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,893 households out of which 33.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% are married couples living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% are non-families. 24.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,800, and the median income for a family is $57,264. Males have a median income of $41,335 versus $25,316 for females. The per capita income for the city is $24,066. 6.2% of the population and 4.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
OnalaskaWisconsin.com
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